Was Mike Stanton Nearly Traded To White Sox for Ozzie Guillen? Answer: No

             Here's one that'll cause Marlins fans to choke on their Captain Crunch this morning: Chris De Luca, my colleague over at the Chicago Sun-Times, is reporting that the Marlins were granted permission by the White Sox to talk to Ozzie Guillen -- but never did. Furthermore, De Luca's sources told him that talks between the Marlins and White Sox "progressed to the point that there was discussion of executing a trade that would send Guillen, who has one year left on his contract, to the Marlins for 20-year-old outfielder Mike Stanton...."

        Wrote De Luca: "After Guillen met with chairman Jerry Reinsdorf late in the season and agreed to return to the Sox in 2011 -- but not getting the desired extension -- the Marlins talks died, sources say.

        That the Marlins requested permission from the White Sox to talk to Guillen about becoming their next manager hardly comes as a surprise. Those within the Marlins' front office considered Guillen to be the "perfect" candidate, and rumors were swirling late in the season that the Marlins had their eye on Guillen as he was making noise about his future with the Sox.

         And it might have taken a trade to pry Guillen from the White Sox, who surely would have demanded some form of compensation for the manager. A source with indirect knowledge of the matter told me several weeks ago that the White Sox wanted a player (or players) in exchange for Guillen. But Stanton? Let's be serious.

         While owner Jeffrey Loria and the Marlins front office were likely itching to hire Guillen, it's hard to imagine that they would part with someone of Stanton's immense talents to bring him on board -- unless, that is, they were out of their freaking minds. And, indications are, they weren't. A source told me that Stanton's name was never mentioned. "Didn't happen," the source said.

     Guillen might be a fine manager and all, just the person to take the Marlins into their new ballpark when it opens in 2012. But no manager is worth that kind of price. In fact, this report by the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales indicates the Marlins asked -- but were not granted -- permission to talk to Guillen, and that while the White Sox asked about receiving a player in return, Stanton was a no-go as far as the Marlins were concerned.

         Let's see what happens next. If the Marlins decide to bring back Edwin Rodriguez but only give him a one-year deal, it could be a sign that they're planning to make another run at Guillen, or someone else of that stature, as they prepare to move into their new digs. 

Comments

[MLB]

"...unless, that is, they were out of their freaking minds."

I believe that has pretty much been established as the case.

[Jorge]

This is disturbing. No manager is capable of replacing Mike Stanton's potential. I hope this is actually an accurate report. If it is accurate, this is another sign of incompetence from the front office. It has not been discussed too often, but this front office has not been great with personnel decisions outside of Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell for Hanley.

[Eddie]

If i had to guess the talks went down like this.
White sox to Marlins: You want Guiellen Managing your team.... lets make a trade.

Marlins to White Sox: What kind of trade do you have in mind.

WS to Fish: how about that guy that strikes out a lot... what's his name..... mmmm... Stanton.

Fish to white sox: You mean the kid with such raw power that he knocks infielders on there arse with routine ground balls... The one that hit a combined 43 hrs in minors and majors..

White sox to Fish: yeah thats the one..

Fish to WS: Click.....

Ws to Fish: hello, hello helloo.

In other words the white sox asked for Stanton in return. Not marlins offering stanton.

[Pete]

Chris DeStupid must be an imbecile...

[Jorge]

Eddie, I am inclined to agree with you, but the Marlins must be getting desperate considering their recent reputation (Bobby Valentine withdrew his name twice from consideration and the Marlins have been reprimanded by the league office. Also, Marlins reportedly misspoke to county leaders when they received their $$$.)

I absolutely believe this was an inaccurate report, though. Just hate this team's management regardless of the 2003 championship and winning records.

[bubbleRefuge]

that would be the most ridiculous trade in the history of mankind as bad as trading george washington for hitler.

[Greg]

Uhh hello has anyone seen the World Series and the front office blunder that is Cody Ross? Nothing would surprise me with this bonehead front office!

[Jorge]

Cody Ross is hardly the error I would point to. Cabrera, Castillo, Lee, Penny, and myriad others have essentially been traded for a bag of peanuts and orange t-shirts (I know Penny was traded for LoDuca and Mota, but those were short-term Marlins who later netted us a gift basket). Lee got us Hee-Seop and maybe Nolasco, but went on to win batting title and gold gloves.

We give them too much credit for world series and for remaining competitive, but we essentially traded an MVP Candidate (cabrera) for me, although they had another year to push for a better trade (Cabrera would have gotten arbitration money, but please explain how we could not force someone to eat the contract at that year's trade deadline and ship him to a contender).

Cody Ross mistake was to let him go for cash. He was decent enough to merit a prospect, but I would not pay him 5 million. We know what he is and that is decent stop gap.

['witz]

Why would an established manager with a record of success want to work for the Marlins? If they sign one like that there will have to be some kind of underlying mystery-- why did no one else want him?-- and the Herald no longer has the capacity to investigate thoroughly. More likely they'll wind up with Edwin Rodriguez or another like Fredi Gonzalez, looking for a door that opens to the Bigs.